In this world where we think too much, move too fast and stay too busy it is important to remember that we have a body that enables us to do what our mind commands. The body we inhabit holds a lot of wisdom and the key to a grounded and fulfilled existence. Moving in an embodied way, and feeling into the sensations of the body is key to maintaining a good relationship with your body for better health and wellness.
Being embodied means to be in your body, to be aware of it, to feel it, know what it is doing, the position it is in, and what that means. It sounds quite simple and I would bet that you think you do this already! Maybe? Maybe not?
Having taught movement and studied bodies for over a decade... nearly two decades I can tell you that your probably not as aware of your body as you think. That is my experience anyway, most people lack awareness of what they are moving, how they are moving, whether they are breathing, and a lot of people ignore body signals. Most people struggle to maintain optimal alignment and posture in their body, and have little idea the process going on under their skin when they move. Sorry, just saying what I see - but if it helps its not just you!
Anyway so the point is that we disassociate from our body and we do this for multiple reasons. One being childhood conditioning - "just get on with it", "ignore the tummy pain, headache, (inset ailment here)", and the "just ignore it, you'll be fine" that our care givers said to hurry us up and stop our childhood moaning.
We do it because our culture is mind centred, "sit at that desk and think your way through life". And not very compassionate "crying is for girls" who would want to be one of those - haha. "Pain is weakness", "man up". Lets face it emotions scare people and slow things down and that is unproductive and costly.
So maybe I exaggerate a little but we are kind of conditioned to stop feeling. We are kind of taught that thinking wisdom is the best wisdom and that it comes from rational, brain centred origins.
However, research is now proving that actually emotions, thoughts, feelings and wisdom originate in the body. In our heart, in our tissues, in our gut and that the nervous system relates these message back to the brain. That IBS may just be a result of your divorce, your eczema is worse because of your difficult boss and your heart attack was because you worried obsessively about your kids doing well at school. Connecting to your body is vital to heal yourself.
Unfortunately you can read all the books and listen to all the podcasts on healthy eating, mindfulness, exercise and it actually doesn't benefit you unless you turn the wisdom into action. So you may know it all, but actually doing something about it is a different story. You have to act to get the benefit.
Step 1 - recognise that there is a disconnect between your body and mind.
Step 2 - take moments through the day to bring your awareness and attention into your body. Close your eyes and feel inside - your hands, chest, arms, legs, just pay attentions for a few moments.
Step 3 - Allow whatever arises, it may be emotion, sensation, it may be subtle but allow whatever arises with kindness and curiosity.
Those are the first steps, just taking the moments to be aware and feel. You may benefit from incorporating embodiment practices - where you intentionally do things that emphasise body sensation and the internal experience. This may be mindful movement - a conscious walk, where you feel each step. It may be breathwork - taking 5 mins to do deep breathing with your eyes closed and feeling the effects as you breathe. It may be a gentle class like Move Freely Pilates and allowing your awareness to feel into each exercise, what do you feel and where. It may be a massage where you connect to your body and allow the sensations that arise. The key is to do things that allow that internal experience in a fully present way.
It will not be easy initially - lets get that elephant out there - when your mind is used to constant stimulation, it feels difficult to keep the subtle focus. But with practice and repetition it gets easier, just keep returning focus whenever you notice your mind seeking and use it as a brain training exercise. Try to be the witness to your mind, listen to it but don't believe it. When it says "this is stupid, put the tv on" or "so boring what time is it, the class must be nearly over" - talk back and remind yourself of the benefits of being aware of your body. The always seeking mind is an unhappy mind, learning to be comfortable with stillness allows your nervous system to relax. When you are over stimulated your nervous system is in a state of heightened awareness and this means unhealthy stress, high cortisol and all the negatives. So it really is in your benefit to do the work.
Over time you will start to inhabit your body more, you will know what it needs because you are not ignoring its signals. You will understand different feelings in your body - good pain, bad pain, different types of hunger, when your tight clothes are actually unconsciously annoying you, that over caffeinated agitation, when you are holding tension unnecessarily. You will be more aware of how you stand, sit, breathe and walk and your body will tell you when you need to move or relax and you will listen.
Being embodied means to be in your body and to connect body and mind. Embodied movement is a wonderful practice to help you get started, remember to stay present, relax through the movement, listen to what your body needs and feels as you move. And breathe!
At Choose Movement I can help you with body awareness through gentle movement, meditation, physical and emotional coaching. Book a consultation to discuss how I can help you.
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